Radio frequency identification (RFID) label and method for making the label

ABSTRACT

The invention consists in an RFID label consisting of at least: one functional layer comprising at least one electronic component, one antenna connected to the electronic component; one upper layer; one lower layer having an adhesive surface; wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materials capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation. The invention also includes the method for manufacturing the RFID label and the machine applying the method for manufacturing the RFID label.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/753,315, filed Apr. 2, 2010, which is based on, and claims priority of French Patent Application No. 09/01619, filed on Apr. 3, 2009, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of radiofrequency identification (RFID) and more particularly to RFID labels.

BACKGROUND

The present invention proposes an RFID label and its manufacturing method.

Identification by a radiofrequency is increasingly widespread in order to be used in many fields. This type of identification is generally based on a system consisting of a chip or an electronic component and of an antenna associated with a backing. This backing may have several shapes. For example, it may be in the form of an RFID card, also called a contactless chip card allowing for example identification of persons, thereby authorizing entry into a building or delivery of services to which the identified person has subscribed. It may also be in the form of a label adhesively bonded on a product used commercially for identifying this product or on the windscreen of a vehicle thereby authorizing access for example to a car park or motorway after identification.

RFID labels have to meet several requirements. One of them is resistance to light. Indeed, RFID labels used for vehicles, adhesively bonded behind a windscreen are subject to the action of ultraviolet rays (UV) from the sun which cause rapid degradation of the label and therefore deterioration of the chip and antenna system.

The object of the present invention is to provide a technical solution by proposing an RFID label, its manufacturing method and a machine, according to the method for manufacturing the RFID label.

In order to achieve this object, the RFID label consists of at least:

-   -   one functional layer comprising at least:         -   one electronic component;         -   an antenna connected to the electronic component;     -   one upper layer;     -   one lower layer having an adhesive face;

wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materials capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the upper layer is in paper.

According to another particularity, the upper layer is in a synthetic material having a printable coating.

According to another particularity, the lower layer is in paper capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation and having a pressure sensitive face protected by a detachable layer.

According to another particularity, the lower layer is in a synthetic material capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation and having a pressure sensitive face protected by a detachable layer.

According to another particularity, the lower layer has a printable surface.

According to another particularity, the pressure sensitive face consists of an adhesive, the physico-chemical properties of which do not deteriorate if it is subject to ultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is in paper.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is in synthetic material.

According to another particularity, the detachable layer is siliconized.

According to another particularity, the functional layer is in paper on which is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electronic component.

According to another particularity, the functional layer is in flexible synthetic material on which is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electronic component.

According to another particularity, the layers are assembled together by adhesive bonding.

According to another particularity, the upper layer (1) and/or the lower layer (2) and/or the functional layer (3) have a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.

According to another particularity, the upper layer (1) and/or the lower layer (2) and/or the functional layer (3) have one or more layers for printing a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.

Another object is achieved by proposing a method for making the RFID label wherein the upper layer and the lower layer are continuously fed by reels providing strips with a width at least equal to a multiple of one of the dimensions of the RFID label, in that the functional layer is continuously fed by at least one reel providing at least one strip in parallel and in that it includes at least the following steps:

-   -   a step for continuous pre-printing and/or continuous pre-cutting         the strip of the lower layer into a plurality of labels;     -   a step for continuously pasting or depositing the plurality of         labels of the strip of the lower layer onto the strip of a         detachable layer;     -   if need be, a step for continuously printing the strip of the         upper layer;     -   a step for continuously depositing the strip(s) of the         functional layer onto the sized inner surface of the strip of         the lower layer;     -   a step for continuously depositing the sized strip of the upper         layer onto the strip(s) of the functional layer;     -   a continuous cutting step;     -   an on-line continuous control step;     -   an on-line continuous graphic and electric customization step.

According to another particularity, the inner surface of the strip of the lower layer and the strip of the upper layer are sized.

According to another particularity, the pre-printing step consists in a step for continuously printing the inner surface of the strip of the lower layer followed by a step for continuously printing the outer surface of the strip of the upper layer.

According to another particularity, the pre-printing step consists in a step for continuously printing the outer surface of the strip of the upper layer followed by a step for continuously printing the inner surface of the strip of the lower layer.

According to another particularity, the step for continuously pasting or depositing the plurality of labels of the strip of the lower layer onto the strip of a detachable layer is followed by a waste stripping step if the step for continuously pre-cutting the strip of the lower layer into a plurality of labels has been carried out.

According to another particularity, the step for continuously pasting or depositing the plurality of labels of the sized strip of the upper layer onto the strips of the functional layer is followed by a pressing step.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consists in cutting out the assembled strips in strips of dimensions at least equal to the length or to the width of an RFID label and then winding up the cut-out strips as bobbins.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consists in cutting out the assembled strips in strips with dimensions at least equal to the length or to the width of an RFID label and then folding the cut-out strips as fanfolds.

According to another particularity, the continuous cutting step consists in cutting out the assembled strips into individual RFID labels.

According to another particularity, the on-line control step is achieved by means of a reader antenna.

According to another particularity, the customization step is followed by a conditioning step.

Another object is achieved by proposing a machine for production according to the method for manufacturing the RFID label including an on-line succession of stations including at least:

-   -   a reel feeding station for the lower layer,     -   a reel feeding station for the upper layer,     -   a station including at least one reel feeding module for the         strip of the functional layer.     -   at least one station for printing the upper layer.

According to another particularity, the machine further includes:

-   -   a reel feeding station for the detachable layer,     -   two automatic labeling heads for continuously depositing the         lower adhesive surface of the strip of the lower layer onto the         strip of the detachable layer.

According to another particularity, the machine further includes:

-   -   a forming station for the cutting-out,     -   a forming station for presenting the RFID labels as bobbins,         fanfolds or individual RFID labels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other particularities and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent upon reading the description hereafter, made with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the RFID label;

FIG. 2 illustrates the method for making the RFID label;

FIG. 3 illustrates the machine according to the method for manufacturing the RFID label.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, the invention relates to an RFID label (0) consisting of at least:

-   -   one functional layer (3) comprising at least:         -   one electronic component (301),         -   one antenna connected to the electronic component (301);     -   one upper layer (1);     -   one lower layer (2) having an adhesive layer;

wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materials capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation and protecting the label against the latter.

The upper layer (1) for example is a polyester backing having a thickness from 15 μm to 200 μm.

The functional layer (3) is a backing, for example in PET (polyethylene terephthalate), on which is etched an antenna, for example in aluminium, connected to a high frequency or ultrahigh frequency electronic component (301), for example in silicon. Depending on the integrator and the type of protocol, the design of the antenna and the type of the electronic component (301) are variable.

The lower layer (2) for example is an acrylic or PET backing having a pressure sensitive face and a thickness varying from 15 μm to 200 μm for example.

The pressure sensitive face of the lower layer (2) is protected by a siliconized detachable layer (4), in paper or synthetic material having a thickness varying from 15 μm to 120 μm for example. The detachable layer (4) provides a protection against dirt and involuntary adhesion of the pressure sensitive surface of the RFID label. The face opposite to the pressure sensitive face of the lower layer (2) is printable.

The adhesive used for the pressure sensitive surface of the lower layer (2) is capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation.

In a non-limiting way, the face opposite to the pressure sensitive face of the lower layer (2) is printable with inks, for example flexographic inks, providing protection against ultraviolet radiation to the RFID label.

The printing of the lower layer (2) by inks providing protection against ultraviolet radiation allows to create a supplementary protection layer of the label (0) against ultraviolet radiation. The supplementary protection layer (5) is created, for example, by a black flexographic layer, by a white screen printing layer and by a screen printing. The screen printing is first carried out, then the white screen printing layer and then the black flexographic layer. This further gives a protection for the electronic component and for the antenna against the ultraviolet radiation.

In a non-limiting way, protection of the label against ultraviolet radiation may be ensured by a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation. Several printing layers of a same ink are capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation.

The functional layer (3) is sandwiched between the upper layer (1) and the lower layer (2).

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the method for manufacturing the RFID label (0) includes several steps with which it is possible to achieve printing, complexing and forming of the RFID label (0) during a single pass on a press (10).

Before passing on the press (10), the lower layer (2) and the upper layer (1) are continuously fed by reels (103, 203) providing strips with a width at least equal to a multiple of one of the dimensions of the RFID label (0) allowing RFID labels (0) to be made continuously.

The functional layer (3) is continuously fed by at least one reel (3031, 3032) providing at least one strip in parallel thereby allowing continuous manufacturing of series of at least one RFID label (0).

According to a configuration, the width of the strips is at least equal to a multiple of the width of the RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the width of the strips is at least equal to a multiple of the length of the RFID label (0).

In a first step (Etp1), the strip from the reel (203) forming the lower layer (2) is unwound in order to allow continuous pre-printing of the strip of the lower layer (2) for a plurality of labels. Pre-printing of the lower layer (2) is achieved on a press. Printing allows the RFID label (0) to be protected against ultraviolet radiation. The series of labels upon exiting the step (Etp1) may for example appear as bobbins of labels.

This step (Etp1) may be accompanied by a step for continuously pre-cutting out the strip of the lower layer (2) into a plurality of labels to the dimensions of the RFID label (0).

According to a configuration, a following step (Etp2) consists of continuously pasting or depositing the plurality of labels of the lower layer (2), made in the preceding step, onto the detachable layer (4) by means of automatic labeling heads.

If a pre-cutting step has been carried out in the preceding step (Etp1), a waste stripping step is carried out in order to remove the unnecessary portions of the strip of the lower layer (2).

In a following step (Etp3), the strip of the reel (103) forming the material of the upper layer (1) is continuously unwound in order to allow continuous printing of the strips of the upper layers (1). Printing is carried out in line.

In a following step (Etp4), the reels (3031, 3032) making up the functional layer (3) are continuously unwound in order to be continuously deposited on the complex, consisting of the detachable layer (4) and of the lower layer (2). Adhesive is deposited on the complex. The adhesive used is, in a non-limiting way, a hot melt adhesive or a water-based or solvent-based adhesive or any other adhesive capable of effectively and durably maintaining together the layers of the RFID label (0). The strips forming the functional layer (3) are continuously cut out into individual functional layers. Each functional layer (3) is then continuously deposited on the sized area of the complex.

In a following step (Etp5), the reel (103) making up the upper layer (1) is continuously unwound in order to continuously deposit the strip of the upper layer (1) onto the functional layers (3) adhesively bonded onto the lower layer (2) in the preceding step (Etp4). Adhesive is deposited on the inner surface of the upper layer (1) before it will adhesively bond it onto the complex by pressing.

In a following step (Etp6), forming of the RFID labels is performed.

According to a configuration, the strips assembled in the preceding steps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order to obtain a plurality of strips with dimensions at least equal to the length or the width of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equal to the number of reels of functional layer (3). Each obtained strip is then wound up as bobbins.

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in the preceding steps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order to obtain a plurality of strips with dimensions at least equal to the length of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equal to the number of reels of functional layer (3). Each strip is subject to a series of perforation lines in order to condition the RFID label strips as fanfolds or for folding the strips and easily separating the RFID labels (0). The distance between each line of perforation is at least equal to the width of an RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in the preceding steps are continuously cut out longitudinally in order to obtain a plurality of strips with a dimension at least equal to the width of an RFID label (0) and the number of strips of which is equal to the number of reels of functional layer (3). Each strip is subject to a series of lines of perforations for conditioning the strips of RFID labels in fanfolds or for folding the strips and easily separating the RFID labels (0). The distance between each line of perforations is at least equal to the length of the RFID label (0).

According to another configuration, the strips assembled in the preceding steps are continuously cut out into individual RFID labels (0).

In a following step (Etp7), proper operation of each electronic component system (301) connected to an antenna of each RFID label (0) is continuously controlled by means of a reader antenna.

In a following step, not shown, each electronic component associated with a label is subject to graphic and electric customization. Regardless of the presentation of the product in bobbins, in fanfolds or in individual labels, during customization according to the needs, reading of an identifier, coding of the electronic component and numbering then allowing its printing, are for example possible, as well as the creation of a log file or another file according to demand.

In a following step (Etp8), the bobbins, the fanfolds and the individual labels may be conditioned depending on the needs or on request from a client.

With reference to FIG. 3, the production machine (10) according to the method for making the RFID label (0) includes an in line succession of stations including at least:

-   -   a reel (203) feeding station (501) for the lower layer (2),     -   a reel (103) feeding station (502) for the upper layer (1),     -   a station (505) including at least one reel feeding module         (3031, 3032) of strips for the functional layer (3),     -   at least one printing station (504) of the upper layer (1).

Preferentially, the production machine (10) further includes:

-   -   a reel feeding station (5001) for the detachable layer (4),     -   two automatic labeling heads (503) for continuously depositing         the adhesive lower surface of the strip of the lower layer (2)         onto the strip of the detachable layer (4).

Preferentially, the production machine (10) further includes:

-   -   a forming station (506) for the cutting-out,     -   a forming station (507) for presenting the RFID labels (0) as         bobbins, fanfolds or individual RFID labels.

It should be obvious for the person skilled in the art that the present invention allows embodiments under many other specific forms without departing from the field of application of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the present embodiment should be considered as an illustration, but may be modified within the field defined by the scope of the appended claims, and the invention should not be limited to the details given above. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. An RFID label comprising at least: one functional layer comprising at least: one electronic component; and one antenna connected to the electronic component; one upper layer; and one lower layer having two adhesive surfaces; wherein the upper and lower layers consist of one or more materials capable of resisting ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation, and wherein a supplementary protection layer against ultraviolet radiation is printed on a top face of the lower layer and configured to protect the electronic component and the antenna against ultraviolet radiation, the top face being adhesively joined to the functional layer.
 2. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer is in paper.
 3. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the upper layer is in a synthetic material having a printable coating.
 4. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer is in paper capable of resisting ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation, and a bottom face of the lower layer has a pressure sensitive face protected by a detachable layer.
 5. The RFID label according to claim 4, wherein the pressure sensitive face consists of an adhesive, the physico-chemical properties of which do not deteriorate if the adhesive is subject to ultraviolet radiation.
 6. The RFID label according to claim 4, wherein the detachable layer is in paper.
 7. The RFID label according to claim 4, wherein the detachable layer is in synthetic material.
 8. The RFID label according to claim 4, wherein the detachable layer is siliconized.
 9. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the lower layer is in synthetic material capable of resisting ultraviolet radiation and/or of filtering the ultraviolet radiation and having a pressure sensitive face protected by a detachable layer.
 10. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is in paper on which is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electronic component.
 11. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the functional layer is in flexible synthetic material on which is etched or printed the antenna connected to the electronic component.
 12. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the layers are assembled together by adhesive bonding.
 13. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper layer, the lower layer, or the functional layer has a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.
 14. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper layer, the lower layer, or the functional layer have one or more layers for printing a combination of inks capable of resisting to ultraviolet radiations and/or of filtering ultraviolet radiation.
 15. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary protection layer is at least one ink layer.
 16. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary protection layer is directly printed on the top face opposite a bottom face of the lower layer.
 17. The RFID label according to claim 16, further comprising a detachable layer detachable to the bottom face of the lower layer, wherein the lower layer with the printed supplementary protection layer is bonded between the functional layer and the detachable layer.
 18. The RFID label according to claim 1, wherein the supplementary protection layer is formed of a black flexographic layer, a white screen printing layer, and a screen printing layer. 